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EuroPDB: July 27, 2005 | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: EuroPDB: July 27, 2005 (none / 0)
This Russia/Belarus talk is interesting.  Does Putin object to their government, or are there economic reasons?  How are Russians treated in Belarus?
by BooMan on Wed Jul 27th, 2005 at 07:19:23 AM EST
Re: EuroPDB: July 27, 2005 (none / 0)
Putin and Lukashenko get along like gangbusters and Russians and "Bylorussians" or Belarusians are extremely intertwined both culturally and politcally.  Most Belarusians don't even speak Belarus anymore or do so asa second language.

They're already going to merge their currencies.  What Putin is talking about is either introducing Belarus into the Russian Federation or else a "Serbia and Montenegro" type thing.

There are even rumors (just rumors!) that Putin might ask Lukashenko to step into the (joint) presidency in 2008.  Not likely but that's what the Russian media is whispering about.

Pax

Night and day you can find me Flogging the Simian

by soj on Wed Jul 27th, 2005 at 09:58:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: EuroPDB: July 27, 2005 (none / 0)
well, there's a lot of sound and fury, but not much action. Russians are understandably reluctant to share their now strongish currency with someone very likely to prit money with abandon...

As to the joint presidency. Lukashenka has his sights on it indeed, but the more intriguing possibility is for that presidency to be made really powerful and for Putin to take it over when his current mandate (which the constitution says he cannote reelected to again) ends.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Wed Jul 27th, 2005 at 12:39:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

EuroPDB: July 27, 2005 | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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